S17NWA Chairman’s Report
June 2019 –June 2020
Introduction
This is the first annual report since S17NWA was established at the AGM on 24th June 2019. To say that this has been a strange year is an understatement, as the normal day to day routines of us all have been disrupted by the country’s response to the Corona virus pandemic. Before the lockdown your Committee was meeting regularly on a monthly basis, but the crisis required Committee members to self-isolate and/or shield bringing a temporary halt to face to face meetings. The AGM scheduled for June 2020 also has had to be postponed.
The Committee
Firstly, I would like to record my sincere thanks to those members who served on the Committee during the year. Unfortunately, three of the founder members – Neil Bunting, Julie Gay and Richard Tetley all stepped down for personal reasons but we were pleased to be joined by John Sharpe as Data Controller. The resignations of the two Area Coordinators for Totley has left a disappointing gap in our coverage of S17 and it is regrettable that we have been unable to find replacements despite many efforts. Going forward, we will need to strengthen the Committee if the Association is to thrive and prosper.
Finances
The Committee established a bank account and The Treasurer will report on our finances once we are able to reschedule the AGM.
An application for funds from the Ward Pot has been made and we will update members once we know the outcome of that application.
Information Technology
Despite the lockdown, we were able to progress the production and launch of a website and a Facebook page. I would encourage all members to familiarise themselves with these communication media.
Crime and the Police
We have continued to keep members updated on a regular basis with details of criminal activity in our area. Perhaps the only silver lining of the pandemic is that crime (other than fraud) has generally been much reduced.
Either collectively or individually your Committee has maintained contact with the local police on a regular basis.
Two initiatives which have had to be suspended because of the pandemic are the Community Speedwatch and the introduction in parts of Dore of Smartwater to mark valuables.
Your Committee has been involved in various discussions about an initiative called Neighbourhood Network and we will continue to keep a watching brief on this as it develops. However, it seems likely to be in suspense for the duration of the pandemic.
Conclusion
In closing, I hope all members will come safely through the lockdown and that the “new normal” will enable us once more to meet face to face.
Harry Driver
Chairman
S17NWA
25th June 2020